Abused dog still missing; accused attacker in Multnomah County court

Editor’s Note: The following story shares details of animal abuse and a police video that may be disturbing for some readers.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities are continuing to search for a missing dog after its suspected abuser faced a judge in Portland Monday afternoon.

During his Monday court appearance, 25-year-old Isaac Booker Justham pleaded not guilty to felony abuse charges.

Justham was arrested Saturday after Portland police released surveillance video from an apartment building near 500 NE Holladay St. during their search for the suspected abuser. The video appeared to show Justham whipping the dog with a leash in an elevator.

At one point, another person enters the elevator, and Justham appears to stop but resumes after the person leaves. The video also appears to show Justham raising a heavy rope above his head with both hands before once again striking the dog.

Police gave descriptions of additional instances of abuse not seen in the publicly released footage — including that Justham allegedly hung the dog from a fire extinguisher and repeatedly kicked it.

“A person who is willing to do this to a helpless animal, we have significant concerns about what they may be capable of doing to another animal or person,” Portland Police Bureau Sergeant Matt Johnson previously told KOIN 6 News.

Around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Justham was spotted in the Pearl District by Major Crimes Unit detectives, who called for help from Central Precinct officers. The 25-year-old, who was taken into custody at NW 13th and Flanders, told police he had just swallowed fentanyl.

He was taken to the hospital to be checked out, then was interviewed by detectives once he was medically cleared.

Justham is being held in custody ahead of his next court appearance on Aug. 27.

Authorities said he did not provide any information on where the dog may be. Anyone with information on the dog’s whereabouts is asked to contact Portland police.